Shanxi cuisine
Sour, hearty fare from China's Shanxi Province.
Shanxi cuisine, also known as Jin cuisine, originates from the cooking traditions of Shanxi Province in China. It is characterized by sour flavors, with noodles, fried flatbread, and vinegar being common elements. The cuisine is not widely known outside the region, partly due to the province's lower population compared to others.
Quick Facts
- Province
- Shanxi
- Common meats
- Pork
- chicken
- lamb
- goat
- sheep offal
- Main staples
- Millet
- sorghum
- wheat
- Vinegar type
- Shanxi mature vinegar (Shanxi lao chencu)
- Primary vinegar production area
- Qingxu County
- Largest mature vinegar manufacturer
- Shanxi Mature Vinegar Group
Facts from the source article.
Styles
Shanxi cuisine is divided into three styles. Northern Shanxi style, represented by Datong and Mount Wutai, emphasizes color and oil, with more seasoning. Southern Shanxi style, from Linfen and the Grand Canal regions, specializes in seafood despite the province being landlocked, and has a light taste. Central Shanxi style, represented by Taiyuan, combines northern and southern flavors with fine ingredient selection and a salty taste. Before the 1970s, Taiyuan cuisine included many noodle dishes, Chinese Muslim dishes, local hot pot, and meat dishes using fresh water seafood and lamb, and is especially known for knife-shaven noodles (dao xiao mian).
Shanxi mature vinegar
Shanxi mature vinegar, also called Shanxi lao chencu, is a special vinegar produced in Shanxi Province. Based on its preparation techniques, it is more accurately termed aged Shanxi vinegar or extra aged vinegar. It is one of the four famous vinegars in China, and its smell and flavor change during storage. General grades can be kept for 9–12 months, while better vinegars may be kept for at least 3–10 years. Some brewing methods are considered intellectual properties protected by Chinese law. The vinegar is primarily produced in Qingxu County, near the provincial capital Taiyuan, where the Shanxi Vinegar Culture Museum is located. Local Taiyuan residents who have lived there for generations often prefer Donghu Mature Vinegar from Shanxi Mature Vinegar Group, the largest manufacturer in China. Another brand is Ninghuafu Yiyuanqing, produced by the Yiyuanqing Company in Taiyuan's old downtown area.
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